After a two-year absence, one of Gatlinburg’s most beloved attractions of all time is back in town. Back by popular demand, Christ In The Smokies Museum and Gardens (in the former Christus Gardens location) is returning to Gatlinburg with an entirely new exhibition, bringing joy to many area visitors who mourned the loss of the attraction.
“Thousands of visitors had expressed their sorrow about losing this major religious attraction,” says longtime manager Joe Waggoner. “We are pleased to announce that the requests and concerns of our local residents and visitors will be honored with this entirely new exhibition, called Christ In The Smokies Museum and Gardens. It’s the finest in family entertainment.”
For more than 49 years, the previous Christian attraction on River Road had told the story of the life of Jesus Christ, but in 2007, the wax figure collection was sold to a Christian TV network and left Gatlinburg. The location had been marked for a condo development, but the impact of the economy forced the development to be postponed.
“Gatlinburg is very fortunate to have local people with the vision and financial commitment to reopen this type of attraction in town. There is a lot of interest from church groups and tour companies that wish to add this to their itinerary,” says Waggoner, who will continue to assist in the attraction’s operations.
“In talking with local Gatlinburg residents, we found everyone to be very excited about us bringing an attraction of a religious nature back to Gatlinburg,” says Charlie Moore, local businessperson and principal of the project. Joining Moore in the venture will be fellow Gatlinburg resident Billy Proffitt.
The developers have been acquiring exhibit items from around the country. Several local artists are now helping to mold and design the new attraction, including Mark Pedro and Dale Gillespie, creator of the bronze eagle statue standing in from of the Sevier County courthouse.
For further information, call 865-436-5155.
